Approach paper shifts gear to inclusive growth

New Delhi, June 16 (UNI) The draft Approach Paper to the Eleventh Plan (2007-11) has suggested a paradigm shift in strategy, focussing on growth with eqitable distribution, rather than growth alone being the centre piece of development.

Taking a cue from the alarming results of Advanced Estimates relating to poverty reduction, the paper outlines a two-fold startegy to ensure inclusive growth-- laying emphasis on sectors which have under-performed in the Tenth Plan and bridging regional disparities.

The National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) estimates, not yet made public, indicate that poverty reduction during 1998 to 2004 was 1.6 per cent, rather than one per cent as estimated during the NDA regime.

The paper, to be circulated among the Chief Ministers of various states as a precursor to the crucial meeting of the National Development Council (NDC) to approve the Approach Paper, has worked out a comprehensive strategy to achieve 'inclusive growth.' It assumes that poverty in the near future will continue to hover around 22 per cent, and outlines policy measures which will accelerate the pace of poverty reduction.

The sectors which have not come up to the expectations of the planners and are slated to get focussed attention in the next plan are agriculture, manufacturing and social sectors.

True to his style, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia plans to hold Regional Consultations at five state capitals with Chief Ministers as well as civil society groups and NGOs.

Dr Ahluwalia will visit the state capitals inviting Chief Minister of the state as well as others from the neighbouring States.

The consultations are slated for the last week of June and the first two weeks of July. The draft is being circulated among the Chief Ministers for their comments.

A day in each of the meetings has been reserved for interaction with NGOs. The Commission is working to hold the NDC meeting in August.

According to Dr Ahluwalia's thinking a consensual approach will ensure smooth operation of the Plan.

The paper lays major emphasis on agriculture to have a sustainable growth rate of four per cent per annum, as compared to the average of about two per cent growth in the recent past.

It has taken into consideration the suggestions of the Mid-Term Appraisal in this regard, especially the finding that there was considerable unused capacities in the agricultural sector.

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